WOW! Where do I even begin?! From my last post, I was just leaving for my first tour with Sam Smith. I did not know what to expect, but I was enthusiastic anyway! It ended up being such a fun tour, and it was cool to travel, meet new people, see old friends, and of course siiiiiing! We hit cities I had never been to, and on our days off, I explored as much as I could! I was tired by the time I got back to NYC, but a good tired, of course!

Back from tour in the second week of October, I decided to sublet my apartment from November until the lease ends in March, since I'll be on the road for the majority of the time! Saving that coint, ok?? I moved out all my clothes and traveled right back home to PA with the 'rents, expecting to just "chill" for the time I had off before the tour picked back up full-time in December. Boy was I wrong about that!

Some of you know via my

twitter

or

IG

that I've also been singing as a background singer for Stevie Wonder's current "Songs in the Key of Life" tour. I heard the news while I was having lunch, and could hardly eat I was so excited! I was able to do five shows in five cities (my last show next week in Vegas) and each show was unique and incredible! I can't even put into the words the level of energy and spirituality I felt onstage! It's an experience I will never ever forget! I am so grateful to have been chosen to be a part of such a great show with the incomparable, Stevie Wonder. I could go on and on about his music, but he is just that amazing! And his incredible band has been so warm, humble, and welcoming to myself and the other singers that joined the tour! It's great to know musicians of such a high caliber can still hold on to their faith and humanness in such a tough, competitive industry (which is infamous for being not-so-nice).

Vintage

leather Vest (via Mom's closet),

H&M

turtleneck and faux leather shorts,

Zara

 coat and shoes

I'm really excited to get back on the road with Sam and the boys! We have the AMA's this weekend, y'all should tune in Sunday night!! I'm headed to Los Angeles today to start rehearsing! I will mention that I am looking forward to this LA weather! 'Cuz it's cold out here in the Northeast, and I'm not here for it!! #byeFelicia

akaPennsylvania

But let me tell you about my new glasses right quick (LOL)! These are my new

aviator-style

Mykita

frames! They are eyeglasses, but transitional lenses, so they turn into olive-lens colored sunnies when I'm outside. If you're ever in NYC on the lower east side, go visit their boutique! They have loads of unique frames, definitely worth the visit for all you four eyes imo! The pair I have sold out, apparently myself and Sarah Jessica Parker got the last two pair. And they don't remake them once they're sold out! So that means SJP and I are twinning! *cue emoji praise hands + crying face emoji*

This is my update for now! I'm gonna try my best to update y'all one more time before the year is out! I need a 2014 recap post because this year has been incredible, and all I can do is thank God for everything He's doing for me! He's really showing me his grace and mercy. I am truly thankful! 

Hope all is well with whomever is reading! Shoot me a message, post a comment! Let's chat!

Best,

-Kris

Photography by Mom, aka

Stephanie Brooks

Hi guys! How y'all doin? 

I've had quite a busy month, lots of working and lots of performing, and I've loved every second of it (well, the music work, not so much the traditional working lol...)! I also have some exciting news!! I'm happy to announce that I'm going on US tour with artist Sam Smith! 

I'm so elated and blessed, and thankful for this opportunity. Without friends in my corner and support from them and my family, none of this would have come into fruition. And God, I prayed that I wanted an opportunity to travel, I didn't know how, but a way, and He made a way. Thank you!

Topshop

top,

Uniqlo

pants,

Zara

heels,

Co-lab

via

TJ

Maxx

 leather backpack

I leave NYC Sunday, and the first stop of the tour is Boston, at the House of Blues. I feel like I'm coming full-circle, as I went to college in Boston, and I know that venue very well, from attending many times, even having thrown an event there my senior year! I'm hoping to see some professors and friends when I get into town! I've posted the dates so far on

my website

so check it out! 

Coming to a city near you :) 

I really am going to try to document the tour and take photos, and share my experiences with you all! I'm bringing my camera!

Hope you all are doing well, and thanks for all the support via my blog, instagram, emails... No comment goes unnoticed! Stay with me on this journey!

-Kris

photography by:

KeVain

Scrolling back to my last posts on my blog, I remember the exact mindset I was in.

I was still very excited to have finally made the big move to NYC, but I was also starting to feel more settled in my move. I was more comfortable venturing around (while still hopping on the wrong train going in the wrong direction

all the time

, lol), and simultaneously growing confidently into my womanhood. Just having complete independence and learning about myself was the experience that I was fully embracing.

I was also very inspired by the city (as I still am every day). Walking inspiration, from the people I would see, to the architecture, to the street art and graffiti in my neighborhood, to my musician friends in their element when I would attend their shows.

 I was feeling a bit anxious, as I knew I had moved to NYC for a specific reason, which was to pursue my career in music, and I was trying to figure out my first step in doing just that.

Who knew what God had planned!

The new year broke and I was recovering from a very busy work season (working as a server in Times Square is NO JOKE), and I really didn't have much else going on. I eventually got connected with my now good friend and bandmate,

Bobby Generic

(I'm the featured vocalist in his band), and we started performing together, which has been amazing! Music was picking up and it felt good to be on stage. I also started singing background vocals for my lovely friend

Nicky Egan

, which inspired me even more to continue singing, and pursuing my personal music.

I got to talking with my close friend,

Sir Shawna Corso

, about how I was interested in breaking into the background vocal scene, as she has been very successful in doing so for herself, and she encouraged me to keep putting myself out there, and gave me advice on how to do so. Not long after, she reached out to me specifically about my availability to singing backgrounds for an up-and-coming artist (who turned out to be top Billboard charting artist

Sam Smith

) who was to perform on Saturday Night Live! as his official US debut. Of course I made myself available! Through Corso, I was able to do a couple of gigs with Billboard charting artist Iggy Azalea as well. And this is how I was able to tap into the professional background vocal scene. She is a great friend and only has my best interests in her heart, and for that I thank you Shawna. Words can only say so much of my appreciation I feel for you, and the love I have for you. God has blessed me with such a great friend and sister!

H&M

top,

Zara

shorts,

Topshop

sandals

Thanks to her and another mentor I have been blessed to know,

Marlon Saunders

, I was able to perform with Sam Smith on Good Morning America, The View, David Letterman, with our group (tentatively named "Marlon's Chil'ren" lol), who is family now. I was also asked to be a background vocalist for his show at The Apollo, in which Mary J. Blige shared the stage for his last song, a duet performed of his hit single, "

Stay With Me

." 

The Apollo show was both surreal and pivotal for me. Growing up, I used to watch The Apollo, and understood how much of an important cultural institution it was- not just for Black people, but the weight it held as a music venue in the United States, and even internationally. So many greats have graced that stage, and I had not even been there to attend a concert, but I was on that stage, PERFORMING. That experience, is something I will never forget. I am grateful to have had friends on stage with me, and friends in the audience to share that experience with.

----------------

In other news, I am

SUPER

excited to announce the launch of my new website:

KrisMBrooks

This site encompasses everything that IS Kris. From music, to personal style, from blogging to vlogging! I encourage you to please take the time to navigate my site, and subscribe because there you will find updates on my life, via this blog, dates for upcoming performances (I have quite a few lined up this coming fall ;)), and an opportunity to find out more about who I am, and to see me on this journey called my life!

This is a kicking off point, and the site will continue to GROW, as I

GROW! 

Thank you for all of your continued support, patience, and love.

-Kris

Photography by:

Neat Shiny Owl

Hey guys!

Here I am, back from a hiatus. Let me tell you, life can get crazy busy sometimes!! But it's honestly great to blog again. I was itching to do so, but the break was much needed. How are you all?

In my last post you saw that all of my big puffy long hair was gone! And it's still gone! LOL. I am still in love with the short hair, And as you can see, I tapered the sides, which I love even more than my first haircut! 

These photos are from a natural hair photo shoot taken by my lovely mother and her friend Sandy. We had a lot of fun playing dress up, make-up done by Crystal Carmen (pictured middle), and it was awesome to spend the day together enjoying laughs, nice weather, and expressing our beautiful and unique natural hair! Thanks to Beautiful Affirmations for putting together this lovely shoot!

Updates from me, the school year is quickly approaching its end, and I will be headed to New York City this summer. I can't believe it's almost here! I'm SO excited, but just as nervous, as this will be a leap of faith for me. I know in my heart it's what I have to do! I've been trying to save as much money as I can (I still have bills to pay and a shopping habit to kick) JUST IN CASE I have to move there without a job. But I have faith that I'll lock in SOMETHING before I move lol... Please keep me in your prayers y'all!

My birthday is also Wednesday, May 1st, and I'll be a quarter century! Ahh! I'm actually excited to turn 25. 24 was a great year of experience, learning, and change. Transitioning into 25 will be even more major change! But I'm up for the challenge!

(This was my "Mom's Do Natural Hair" advertisement LMAO)!

On another note, I just want to mention the Boston Marathon bombing. Usually I save the politics and feminist rants for my twitter or tumblr, but I do want to say this. I was really down and out over the bombings. I understand that there are other countries that are experiencing this and far worse all over the world, but this felt personal to me. I was mad, outraged. Boston is a place I used to call home, as I spent my whole undergrad career there in school. Where the bombing took place, Back Bay, was right where my campus was. I can't even count the number of times I walked back and forth on Boylston Street, or hung out in Copley Square. My thoughts and prayers are still with all the families affected by the tragedy. One thing I know about Boston, is Boston Pride. It was great to see everyone come together in times of grief and adversity and help each other out. That was beautiful. 

On a lighter note, above is my new youtube video, me in the salon getting all my hair cut off! Check it out!

Fill me in on what's been going on with you! Hope you're well! :)

-Kris

Photography by Stephanie M. F. Brooks and Sandy Deaton Gelatt